5.3 Wave interactions Flashcards
Q: What are the possible interactions when electromagnetic waves move from one medium to another?
A: When electromagnetic waves move from one medium to another, they can be transmitted, reflected, refracted, or absorbed.
Q: What factors determine which interactions occur when waves move between mediums?
A: The interactions that occur when waves move between mediums depend on the wavelength of the waves and the material they are traveling through.
Q: How does the material affect the interaction of electromagnetic waves?
A: Different materials interact differently with electromagnetic waves due to variations in wavelength. For example, glass may transmit and/or refract visible light, absorb UV radiation, and reflect IR radiation.
Q: What causes the refraction of electromagnetic waves?
A: Refraction of electromagnetic waves occurs due to the difference in velocity of the waves in different substances. When waves encounter materials such as water, glass, or oil, they slow down, causing them to refract.
Q: Can you provide an example of refraction in everyday life?
A: One example of refraction is the bending of visible light when it enters or leaves a glass block. This phenomenon can also occur with other electromagnetic waves
Q: What is refraction?
A: Refraction occurs when light passes a boundary between two different transparent media, causing the rays of light to change direction.
Q: How is the direction of refraction determined?
A: The direction of refraction is determined by the change in speed of light as it travels through different substances. When light passes into a denser substance, it bends towards the normal; when it passes into a less dense substance, it bends away from the normal.
Q: What happens to light rays when they pass through a convex lens?
A: In a convex lens, parallel rays of light are brought to a focus, forming a point called the principal focus. This lens is also known as a converging lens because it converges light rays.
Q: What is the focal length of a lens?
A: The focal length of a lens is the distance from the lens to the principal focus. It depends on how curved the lens is; the more curved the lens, the shorter the focal length
Q: How are concave lenses different from convex lenses?
A: In a concave lens, parallel rays of light are made to diverge (spread out) from a point, forming a virtual focus. This lens is known as a diverging lens because it diverges light rays.
Q: What are some common uses of concave lenses?
A: Concave lenses are commonly used in binoculars, telescopes, flashlights, and cameras. They primarily magnify images.
Q: How can ray diagrams be used to determine the location and nature of images formed by convex lenses?
A: Ray diagrams can be used to determine the location and nature of images formed by convex lenses. If an object is placed further from the lens than the focal length, a real image is formed. If the object is placed closer to the lens than the focal length, a virtual image is formed.
Q: What steps are involved in drawing a ray diagram for a convex lens?
A: For a convex lens:
- Draw a ray from the top of the object through the center of the lens.
- Draw a ray from the top of the object parallel to the axis of the lens. This ray will pass through the focal point after refraction.
- The image is formed at the point where these two rays meet.
Q: What are the characteristics of images formed by convex lenses?
A: Images formed by convex lenses can be real or virtual. Real images are inverted, magnified, and formed on the opposite side of the principal axis. Virtual images are upright, magnified, and formed on the same side of the principal axis.
Q: How are ray diagrams drawn for concave lenses?
A: For a concave lens:
- Draw a ray from the top of the object through the center of the lens.
- Draw a ray from the top of the object parallel to the axis of the lens. This ray will diverge away from the axis.
- The image is formed at the point where these two rays appear to meet.
